For the third time in a row, the Netherlands has come top of the Euro Health Consumer Index. The Index gauges which country’s residents are most satisfied with their healthcare system, have the best outcomes, and have the best access to healthcare and drugs. The Index is produced by the Swedish think tank, Health Consumer Powerhouse.¹ With 872 points out of a possible 1,000, the Netherlands emerged well ahead of:

• Denmark (822)
• Iceland (799)
• Luxembourg (791)
• Belgium (783)
• Ireland (721).

Ireland was placed equal 12th with the UK and Austria among the 34 countries surveyed. Overall, the Index points to continuous improvement in European healthcare. The report says that fears of the economic downturn resulting in worse standards may have been exaggerated but points to three areas of concern:

• There is a tendency towards longer waiting times for expensive surgery in the countries most affected by the economic crisis
• The share of private payment for healthcare is increasing
• There has been no improvement, and access to new drugs has deteriorated.

Johan Hjertqvist, president of Health Consumer Powerhouse, notes that the gap between the health profession and patients is closing, as second opinions and medical records become tools of empowerment. The 2012 report shows that the Netherlands has the best and most structured arrangement in Europe for patients’ organisations to take part in healthcare decision and policy making. It also has many competitive health insurance providers, which are separate from hospitals and caregivers. The Dutch health system has set up 160 primary care centres with surgeries open every day around the clock. Given the country’s relatively small size, such open clinics should be within easy reach of everyone.

The report concludes that the large resources invested in the UK’s health services have largely had the desired effect by reducing waiting times and tackling resistant hospital infections. The UK scores well in terms of access to healthcare information and use of services such as electronic prescriptions and health records. Its health services also score well on the range and reach of public healthcare services, as measured by factors such as kidney transplantations, rate of mammography, and equity of healthcare. However, Arne Björnberg, the index team leader, notes that medical outcomes are still insufficient for a highly developed country. He describes as ‘alarming’ that the UK seems to be falling behind on vaccination of infants; and although access to drugs is generally high in the UK, he considers the deployment of new anti-cancer drugs to be ‘deplorable’.

Nicola Bedlington, Director of the European Patients’ Forum, says the survey illustrates “the vast inequalities facing patients and consumers across the EU”. 

The Index ranks national healthcare systems on 42 indicators grouped into five categories of direct interest to the public:

• Patients’ rights and information
• Accessibility of treatment, including waiting times
• Outcomes
• Range and reach of services provided
• Treatments. 

The data come from public statistics, patient polls, and Health Consumer Powerhouse’s own research. 

Reference                                     

1. Health Consumer Powerhouse. Euro Health Consumer Index 2012. www.healthpowerhouse.com/ehci2012